FREEPORT — Walk into the Cub Foods store at 1512 S. West Avenue any Friday or Saturday from late March to early November, and you can help any number of community nonprofits by making a purchase at the Cub Foods Brat Stand.

The just-concluded season was a record-breaker for the Brat Stand, which saw $56,000 raised for 37 nonprofits.

“When I looked at the final numbers, I found it astounding,” said Kurt Steffen, Cub Foods store director. “This means schools and clubs got new uniforms or even playground equipment. That is pretty important to me.”

This year, Steffen had more than 100 applications for the 37 available spots. The $56,000 raised was up from $55,525 in 2012. In the six years the brat stand has been in existence, Cub Foods has helped nonprofit groups earn $308,000.

The stand began in 2007, and despite lean economic times, group profits have shown a consistent increase. The clubs purchase the food products to be sold at a reduced rate from the grocery store.

“The response we get from the brat stand is huge and even our employees love it,” Steffen said. “But, it is the community that makes this a success. I have one person who cannot eat the food sold at the stand, yet he comes by each day during the season and donates money to these clubs and organizations.

Manning the wagon each year is Jerry Harnish, who has recruited John Boettner. These two men are the ones helping the clubs grill the brats and other food items sold.

Jeff Hayner from the Freeport Soccer Club is one of the groups who raised more than $2,000 for the weekend stint. Hayner said he was informed his club was among the top 10 earners this year.

“Being able to be part of the brat stand made such a difference to our club this year,” Hayner said. “The money goes to our scholarship fund. Without the stand, we would have had to come up with other ways to generate money to our fund. This is a great thing for our community.”

Steffen said because so many groups and organizations apply each year for the few spots, he has to rotate the coveted spots. The store involvement is supplying the wagon, venue and products. He adds it is the local community that makes the real difference.